NILES CHARTER TOWNSHIP — On Friday, Nov. 15, three providers cared for some of their 3,200 patients in six exam rooms at the Niles Community Health Center.

The next day, the clinic gained the capacity to help 7,700 patients in 26 primary care exam rooms while offering healthcare in seven other fields of service in a brand new space.

The change in capacity and services came from the opening of a new Niles Community Health Center, 1951 Oak St. in Niles Charter Township.

With the snipping of a ribbon and a cheer from an audience, Cassopolis Family Clinic Network made the opening official from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday. It marked the end to a 14-month journey that began with a groundbreaking ceremony at the site Sept. 12, 2018.

“Everyone is excited and proud that we are now able to care for more people in the community,” said Rose Middleton-Willson, marketing and development coordinator. “The facility is absolutely beautiful and something that all of our employees can be proud of.”

Staff from Niles’ primary care/behavioral health center, 24 N. St. Joseph Ave., and its obstetrics and gynecology center at 60 N. St. Joseph Ave., moved entirely to the new location and have been joined by 20 new staff members. More positions will likely open in the near future, Middleton-Willson said.

The staff and services of Niles Community Health Center Dental, 122 Grant St., will remain at its current location.

The new facility also offers healthcare enrollment assistance, lab services and a pharmacy, matching many of the services offered at Cassopolis Family Clinic Network’s Cassopolis clinics.

All offerings are open save for the behavioral health clinic and pharmacy center, which will open in January.

When patients enter the facility’s main doors, they will come across a spacious lobby with high, wooden ceilings. The front desk down at the end of the lobby handles all primary care medical visits.

To the left are doors leading to the facility’s lab, run by Spectrum Health Lakeland, behavioral health and obstetrics and gynecology.

To the right are doors leading to the facility’s pharmacy.

Each department has its own front desk for continued assistance blocked off by doors to ensure privacy, Middleton-Willson said.

Cassopolis Family Clinic Network made the expansion so the nonprofit could better fulfill its mission, providing compassionate healthcare to community members, and its vision, to be a leader in ensuring high-quality, integrated healthcare to all it serves.

“The addition of this facility allows us to care for more people and to give them the holistic health care that they deserve,” Middleton-Willson said.

Niles Community Health Center’s primary care medical clinic is open next week onward from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Thursday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday. New patients are being accepted.